A heart murmur is neither a diagnosis nor a disease; it is an indication that something may be wrong. It is the extra swishing or whistling sound heard with a stethoscope in addition to the normal "lub/dub" as blood flows through the chambers and valves of the heart.
What causes it?
A heart murmur may be either genetic or acquired. An opening in the heart, a narrowing of a valve, or a narrowing of a great artery may be hereditary. A heart murmur can be acquired as a result of rheumatic heart disease, an over-active thyroid, anemia, an infection of the lining or other areas of the heart, or heart failure. Most heart murmurs are benign (innocent or functional heart murmurs) and are not a result of heart disease.
Sometimes a small opening in the heart may close on its own or become inaudible as the chest grows bigger. Different problems create different sounding heart murmurs. A softer sounding heart murmur may actually indicate that there is a large hole in the heart.
Innocent or Functional heart murmurs may be caused by:
- Fever (which causes faster blood flow and resolves when fever subsides)
- Anemia (which may also cause faster blood flow due to a low concentration of red blood cells and resolves when the anemia is treated)
- Venous hum (which results from normal blood flow in jugular veins)
- Still's murmur (which is frequently heard in active, healthy, 3-7 year old children and is the normal sound of blood rushing out into the aorta during heart contractions)
Not-innocent, not-functional, or organic murmur may be caused by:
- A structural abnormality such as a narrow valve, a leaking valve, or a hole in the heart (septal defect)
Symptoms of a Not-innocent heart murmur
- Newborns with episodes of cyanosis, tiring easily during feedings, breathing rapidly, sweating excessively, or not gaining weight
- Toddlers - not growing, frequent lung infections, tiring easily, or becoming short of breath with moderate activity
- School aged child or teenager - complaints of dizziness, fainting, tiring easily, or shortness of breath during exercise
Diagnosis
Performance of an electrocardiogram and/or an echocardiogram
Treatment
Treatment varies for heart problems that cause abnormal murmurs. Depending on the specific heart problem, treatment may include medicine or surgery.
It is very important to be evaluated by a (pediatric) cardiologist before having any routine dental care, dental work, or surgery performed. It may be necessary to take an antibiotic beforehand to help prevent any bacteria from traveling to the heart which could lead to an infection.
For more information, please refer to the following website:
http://home.cc.umanitoba.ca/~soninr/DentalWork.pdf
|
